Social Determinism

Karen McGinnis
Jun 6, 2022
5 min read

Updated: Jun 7, 2022

Social Determinism

Is it the opposite of Genetic Determinism?

Who and what is the “Social” in Social Determinism?

Is it the opposite of Free Will?

In our current environment of violence, understanding Social Determinism and other related terms is critical.

Here are some things to think about.

Definition:

What is Social Determinism?

This is the position that human behavior is a NOT a result of Genetics. It is a position that one’s behavior is influenced by the environment around you. Things like peer groups, media, norms, and societal pressure influence who and what you are and how you behave.

Determinism:

Human behavior is a result of both Genetics AND Environment. It holds that behaviors are hard or even impossible to change. You are what you are and have no ability to change.

A person is born nervous, calm, or violent. That genetic disposition is supported by the environment and that is “just how it is”.

Genetic Determinism:

This is a position that one is born a certain way and that influences who or what they will be.

It discounts the environment in which they find themselves.

These theories are generally classified as being about Nature and Nurture.

Stereotypes provide a way to understand the behavior of the member of an identified group.

Does it apply nature (characteristics from birth) or nurture (effects of environment)? Does it ignore other information about the group and classify all members with a generalization? A stereotype can be somewhat accurate, but blatantly ignore the fact that it really may only apply to some specific members of a group and not the identified group.

Example:

“Mentally ill people (Nature or nurture?) tend to be more likely mass murderers (prone to violence.)”

Is this truth? Or a stereotype?

“Certain races tend to be more likely mass murderers (prone to violence) that other groups.”

Is this truth or a stereotype?

We can see that this type of stereotyping is not really helpful in addressing this particular type of violence. It is however a form of the use of Genetic Determinism.

“Excess of disposable income and access to advanced levels of education tends to cause individuals NOT to be prone to mass murder (violence).”

Societal determinism promotes the idea that social factors shape what people are likely to become. Nature and nurture are at play…and potentially at odds with one another.

There are many that believe that a combination of nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) affect behavior. There is even a name for this combination of nurture and nature and their ways of contributing to the behavior of the individual.

Definition:

Epigenetics is a study of how social determinism and genetic determinism work together to influence behavior.

Many believe that outside influences such as peer attitudes, and media can influence attitudes and behavior. They can have a positive and a negative influence. Persons influenced by peer pressure and media repetition and focus tend to consider those who are “like them” more positively than those who are “not like them”. This is a characteristic of social determinism that results from environment, but not from genetics.

This phenomenon can work both ways, supporting a positive input from peers or media may strengthen a learned distrust of the “other. Saying “we are the best” implants the idea that “you are not the best” which creates a separation based on both environmental and sometimes genetic characteristics or circumstances. The opposite can occur. Having a peer group or media repetition promote shared values and support beneficial behaviors can also create a feeling of commonality between “we” and “them”.

Sadly, both a positive and negative approach to genetic and environmental behaviors is reductionist. It breaks down an individual to a part of a group that is the product of both his/her environment and his/her genetics.

Definition:

Reductionist thinking is analyzing and interpreting a complex event, system, or group in simple terms, then using that simplistic definition as sufficient for understanding.

There are always exceptions. Anything else is reductionist. How you were raised, what your race or psychological condition is may or may not determine who you are and what your behavior is likely to be. Exceptions are legion.

So, the question becomes, are we unduly influenced by what we see and hear? Does it determine our attitude and our behavior? That falls under the category of nurture. One, who from birth, has seen value placed in and on certain things, is often found to hold those for a lifetime. If exposed to a feeling of valuelessness, separation of groups for survival purposes (fear), and the ranking of individuals based on stereotypical groupings, one would be expected to perpetrate those ideas for a lifetime. This position supports a nurture philosophy.

So, what is social determinism?

It holds that behavior is determined by the social environment. Behavior is determined by how you were raised in terms of values and beliefs. It is formed by your peer group. It is determined by what you see, hear, read or are told. It is then nurture.

How does genetic determinism differ? Behavior is determined by your physical and mental characteristics. Stereotypes may influence your behavior and you are powerless to go against them. You are what you are born to be…regardless of outside influences! This then is nature.

Nature of Nurture? Can it be both? Genetic determinism and social determinism. That was the epigenetic approach. You are born a certain way but influenced by things outside of yourself. There may be a strong factor that draws the two together. Free will. Strength of character, moral integrity, determination, clear thought processing, and the ability to choose come into play. Is that the factor that overcomes the impact of nature and nurture?

If your nature condemns you to violent outbursts, the aspects of free will recognizes this and seeks methods to control triggered responses. Nature says certain responses run in your family due to genetics. Nurture either supports this or contradicts this. Free will gives you the ability to choose.

Nature says certain illnesses run in your family. Nurture teaches you to disregard behaviors that contribute to the illness. Free will gives you the ability to change your diet, exercise or stress level.

Nurture tells you, “You have no acceptable place in society, so why try to succeed, be happy, or fit in?” Free will can tell you and others that there is value in life and propel you to discover your place in the world, then thrive there.

The areas of human behavior discussed are particularly relevant NOW! Violent behavior in our society has peaked and seems uncontrollable. Where did it come from? How is it controlled? What are its affects on individuals, both victim and perpetrator? Understand the subject. Consider the options. Use free will to think clearly about the causes, the effects, and any mediating factors. Avoid reductionist thinking and contribute to the solution.

Comments or additions? Karenmac1999@hotmail.com

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